Abstract:

 

 

This paper deals with one of the main social problems our contemporary societies have been facing, i.e. poverty. It analyses how the gap is widening between rich and poor, between haves and haven'ts. Unless we bridge the gap, the situation may lead to social disorder and unrest in those societies. The author examines how information and communication technology (ICT) can be put to use for the advantage of the poor, deprived and disadvantaged sections for their upliftment and empowerment. The paper emphases on distance and open learning systems to play a vital role along with the support of ICT to offer relevant programmes (both awareness and skill formation) to the pool of resources that the developing countries can share. The author proposes an Asian Institute of Information and Communication Technology to play as a nodal and catalystic agency to bring change in the society by reducing poverty and empowering the disadvantaged and deprived commuqities. "The technology surrounding communication is advancing while its costs are going steadily down. The time is ripe to take selective advantage of these technological break through to enhance the quality, outreach and cost-effectiveness of basic education"